For twenty years, Cari Friedman O'Connor has been teaching yoga in New York City. She has also taught many international retreats. She is a dedicated and gifted teacher who combines exceptional technical knowledge with an ability to recognize and respond to each student's individual needs. Cari's classes are inspiring, challenging and nurturing. In order to have a transformative yoga practice, she helps students become aware of their personal habits by organizing and finding center through the body, the breath and imagination.
After studying and teaching Anusara Yoga for over ten years, Cari has studied many different techniques that she brings to her teachings. In 2012 she began working under Nevine Michaan, founder of Katonah Yoga and Cari's teaching was transformed. She is certified in the Katonah yoga method. In addition, she has completed many teacher trainings with Max Strom, John Friend, Ellen Saltonstall and Jimmy and Ruthie Bernaert, among others; she also incorporates the Melt Method and physical therapy techniques into her teaching.
Her meditation practice includes studies from the Vipassana traditions. She has also studied women's sacred rituals and completed a two-year lecture program with Dr. Shefali Tsabury on mindfulness. She is a partner and mother of two children who daily inspire her practice and teaching. Cari also holds a BA from the Boston Conservatory of music.
Influences
Katonah Yoga® is a syncretic Hatha yoga practice developed by Nevine Michaan over 40 years. She and her teachers incorporate classical Hatha yoga with Taoist theory, geometry, magic, mythology, metaphor, and
imagination — in a practical framework designed to potentiate personal and communal well-being.
Framing the practice, maps of time and personal space are defined and refined. Themes using asana as origami, manipulating form for function, and developing a sense of personal measure are incorporated in Katonah Yoga practices.
Katonah Yoga is organized around three principles of esoteric dialogue: all polarities are mediated by trinity; the universe has pattern, pattern implies intelligence; by virtue of repetition there is potential for insight.
Revelations are revolutionary.
​
Katonah yoga center in Bedford Hills.
Katonah yoga's studio in NYC: The Studio with Abbie Gavin a teacher who exemplifies the teachings.
Abbie's demonstrates and articulates finding center & circumference and everything in between with over 20 years embodying the teachings.
Vipassana Meditation
Taught by G.N Goenka in the tradition Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Vipassana Meditation is one of India's oldest traditions of mediation first taught over 2,500 years ago.
It is a practical method that builds self awareness to live a more fulfilling life and lessen suffering.
Dr. Shefali Tsabary
For Parents and the Individual. Dr Shefali is a master of the mind.
Through meditation & years of study, she integrates Eastern philosophy
and Western psychology to unify who, why and how we become and heal our most authentic selves.
​
​